An Industrial Member is developing a new type of storage tank for a potentially cleaner and more efficient fuel for motor vehicles with help from TWI.
Gas fuel is seen to have great potential and the client expects a rapidly expanding market for gas-fuelled cars.
The client commissioned a preliminary design study at TWI to evaluate materials and methods of manufacturer for a 'panel' type storage tank with shape and dimensions similar to a small suitcase. The major requirements for such anadsorbed natural gas fuel tank were its light weight and space efficiency.
Gas storage at high pressure is unpopular because of the bulk and weight of the storage cylinders. It is possible, however, to store natural gas at much lower pressures by adsorption in a carbon matrix which reduces the demands onthe storage vessel.
TWI reviewed tank designs for such a vessel in steel and aluminium. A comparison was also made of electron beam, laser and conventional fusion welding processes.
The clear winner in the study was a design employing a cellular aluminium extrusion with welded end caps.
